Introduction
When CAT 2025 results are released, most aspirants fixate on one number: percentile.
Yet, few truly understand how that number is arrived at — and what it actually signals to B-schools.
This article demystifies the CAT scoring system so you can interpret your result with clarity, not anxiety.
Step 1: Raw Score vs Scaled Score
CAT is conducted across multiple slots. Each slot may vary slightly in difficulty.
To ensure fairness, IIMs apply a normalisation process.
- Your raw score = marks you actually scored
- Your scaled score = adjusted score after accounting for slot difficulty
If your slot was tougher, high performers receive a small upward adjustment.
Key takeaway: Never compare raw scores. Only scaled scores and percentiles matter.
Step 2: How Percentile Is Calculated
Percentile indicates relative performance, not absolute marks.
- 95 percentile = you performed better than 95% of test-takers
- 99 percentile = top 1% of ~3 lakh candidates
Percentile is calculated section-wise and overall.
Both matter — many institutes apply sectional cut-offs in addition to overall cut-offs.
What This Means for You
- A “low” score in a tough slot may still convert to a strong percentile
- Percentile, not marks, determines interview shortlisting
- Two candidates with similar percentiles are evaluated equally, regardless of slot
Bottom line: CAT is a ranking exam, not a marks exam.
Strategic Insight
Top candidates don’t ask “Is my score good?”
They ask “What does this percentile unlock?”
That mindset shift matters in the next phase.
